PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron scored a major diplomatic coup by declaring his intention to recognize a Palestinian state but the move risks being followed by bitter retaliation from Israel while not providing concrete benefits to the Palestinians, analysts and sources say.
Macron sent a shockwave through the international community with his pledge over the summer. His announcement in a speech in New York at a conference on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on Monday is now to be matched by recognition by nine other states including Australia, Belgium, Canada and the UK, according to the Elysee.
The recognition marks the growing international frustration with Israel over its assault and aid blockades on the Gaza Strip first launched in response to the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel by Palestinian militant group Hamas.
The implications are historic — France and the UK will be the first permanent UN Security Council members to recognize a Palestinian state and, along with Canada, the first G7 members to do so.
“This recognition is not the end of our diplomatic efforts. It is not a symbolic recognition. It is part of a broader and very concrete action,” said French foreign ministry spokesman Pascal Confavreux, pointing to the French-Saudi roadmap that is to accompany the recognition.
